christmas campaign 2026
be a Secret Santa for a local child this Christmas
For many families, Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time. The expectation of ‘Santa’ can bring additional worry and stress when household budgets are already stretched to breaking point.
With the support of our community, we help make Christmas special for local children while easing some of the stress their families face. Together, we can ensure more children experience the excitement of Christmas morning and more parents start the new year without taking on additional debt.
With your help, we can make sure no child wakes up without a present on Christmas morning.
In 2025:
- 1,748 children received Christmas gifts and stocking fillers
- 766 parents and carers received a gift of their own
- 15,000+ gifts and stocking fillers were donated by our supporters
There’s more: This year we’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026. From 1 to 8 December, donations to Pelican Parcels through the Big Give will be DOUBLED. To get involved or find out more please email ku.gro.slecrapnacilep@gnisiardnuf
feedback from families we’ve supported
How to GET INVOLVED
Supporting our Christmas campaign is easy.
You can donate brand-new toys, books, craft kits, games and toiletry gift sets at our warehouse or at one of our donation drop-off points across Brighton & Hove. To help keep Christmas affordable for families, we particularly welcome gifts that don’t require batteries or additional purchases to be enjoyed.
To ensure donations are suitable for as many children and families as possible, we ask that gifts are not overly personalised. Please avoid clothing, jewellery, make-up and perfume. The exceptions are pyjamas, hat-and-scarf sets, socks although we’d ask that these don’t have Christmas-themed designs.
Not able to donate items? A financial donation can help cover the costs of running our Christmas campaign and enable us to support even more families. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps bring the magic of Christmas to local children.
Shop Localy
Pelican Parcels is proud to partner with local independent businesses. By purchasing through these shops, you’ll support both local families and local businesses.
Please donate items unwrapped so we can match gifts to the families who need them most. We also gratefully accept donations of gift bags, wrapping paper and sticky tape, which are provided to families alongside their gifts.
Choose one of our local partners below to get started.
Chapter 34
Independent book shop based in Shoreham-by-Sea, with a lovely selection of children's books.
This year, they are also a Pelican Parcels donation drop-off point for Christmas gifts, so you can also bring donations from other retailers.
Harriet's of Hove
They offer a variety of gifts and eco-friendly body care products to buy in store and online. This year, they are also a Pelican Parcels donation drop-off point for Christmas gifts, so you can also bring donations from other retailers.
Timeless Toys
A wonderful independent toy shop specialising in quality wooden and plastic-free toys, games and crafts.
Whirligig
The much-loved North Laine toy shop specialising in creative toys and activities that inspire children to make, create and explore.
In-store: mention Pelican Parcels at the till for a discount. Online: mention your order is a donation so it's sent directly to Pelican Parcels.
Meg & Milo
A family-run online business launched in 2020. They have been supporting us since they've launched, with beautiful toys, books and craft sets.
IKEA
IKEA Brighton is supporting Pelican Parcels this Christmas. Visit their in-store donation point to donate new IKEA items, including toys, bedding and other essentials for local families.
Donation drop-off
We’re located near Hove Park, next to Goldstone Retail Park. You can park directly outside our doors to make donating easy. Please do not leave donations outside our building during closed hours.
You can bring your new toy donation to our warehouse during our opening times.
Pelican Parcels
Unit 1-2 Manor Industrial Estate
Newtown Road
Hove BN3 7BA
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm
Last Saturday of every month, 10am to 12pm
ADDITIONAL drop-off POINTS
We are so lucky to have local partners offering their spaces as additional drop-off points for Christmas donations. So, if you are taking your donations to these addresses, please remember these are only during Christmas campaign for new items only, not pre-loved. See our Christmas Wish Lists for inspiration on what to donate.
BRIGHTON
- IKEA (purchase items in-store only)
- Hollingdean Community Centre
- The Gathering Place, Hollingbury
- Pearson Keehan (Brighton Office)
HOVE
- Harriet’s of Hove
- Hove Park Tavern
- Pearson Keehan (Hove Office)
Money donations
Not able to shop for gifts? A financial donation can make an enormous difference.
Your support allows us to respond to urgent requests, purchase gifts where there are shortages, and ensure no child misses out on Christmas.
Every donation, whatever the size, helps create joyful moments and lasting memories for local families.
CHRISTMAS TOOLKIT
Want to organise a gift collection or raise money for Pelican Parcels but not sure where to start? We’ve created a range of downloadable resources to help you get involved at work, at school, or with friends and family. Whether you’re organising a Giving Tree or encouraging other acts of kindness, you should find some materials to get started.
Giving Tree Pack
You can organise a kindness tree in your workplace, school or community space and encourage people to support local families through donations and acts of generosity.
Tree Ornament
Looking for an ornament for your Giving Tree? We can help you! We have a printable paper ornament available. Print it, colour it, cut it, ready to go! Fun for kids and adults. Enjoy!
Printable Wish List
See ideas on what Christmas gifts we accept and are popular with the children we support.
Every pound raised helps Pelican Parcels bring Christmas magic to children, parents and carers across Brighton & Hove.
Explore more ways to help
Have items to donate? Please note that we do not accept pre-loved toys and books between 28 October and early December. For other pre-loved items, check our current donation list.
Donate items
Running a workplace Giving Tree or looking to partner with us this festive season? Discover how your business can get involved.
Support us as a business
